New London school board sticks to school, city finances consolidation

New London – The Board of Education will stick to its original plan to consolidate the school district’s and the city's finance departments.

The school board voted 4-2 Thursday to consolidate, reaffirming an April 26 vote the board took on the issue. The two who dissented were William Morse and board member Elizabeth Garcia Gonzalez.

At a State Board of Education meeting last week to review a state audit of the New London school system, state board members honed in on the New London school board’s April 26 vote on the consolidation.

The consolidation was described in the audit as “a source of considerable tension” among the school board and city officials. Despite its own committee recommending against consolidation, the full school board voted 5-2 in favor of it.

Thursday, the school board discussed Morse’s concerns about the board’s legal responsibilities after the consolidation takes effect.

Board members Barbara Major and Delanna Muse said they decided not to change their April 26 votes after speaking to other school districts who have also consolidated their finances with their municipalities.